Arresting Evolution.

Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Both authors contributed equally.

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Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Both authors contributed equally. Electronic address: jbarrick@cm.utexas.edu.

Abstract

Evolution in the form of selective breeding has long been harnessed as a useful tool by humans. However, rapid evolution can also be a danger to our health and a stumbling block for biotechnology. Unwanted evolution can underlie the emergence of drug and pesticide resistance, cancer, and weeds. It makes live vaccines and engineered cells inherently unreliable and unpredictable, and therefore potentially unsafe. Yet, there are strategies that have been and can possibly be used to stop or slow many types of evolution. We review and classify existing population genetics-inspired methods for arresting evolution. Then, we discuss how genome editing techniques enable a radically new set of approaches to limit evolution.

Traditional Methods for Arresting Evolution. (A) Many methods for slowing or preventing undesirable evolution are based on understanding population genetic principles, as described in the main text. Some have been applied for decades or even longer. One need not have a detailed understanding of the molecular biology of a particular organism to use them. To arrest evolution one can: (B) maintain seed stocks, (C) limit growth, (D) apply appropriate selection, or (E) add competitors.